The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-09-25
DEATH OF CITY CLERK SHIELDS.
Michael ODonnell Is at Once Chosen to Take
His Place on the Democratic Ticket.

Although it has been generally known for
some time that Michael F. Shields. city clerk,
was in very poor health his death yesterday
morning at o'clock at his home, No. 296 South
Alabama street, great surprise. his
disease was consumption, from which he has
been a suffer for several months. The disease
first became noticeable about four months ago.
and since that time the decline
of the victim has been very rapid.
He has made no attempt to look after
the business of his Office for six weeks or two
months, but until within the last week has been
able to appear on the streets, and usually made
a daily visit to his Office in fair weather. He
never considered his condition critical
until last Sunday, whom he remarked to his
friends that he had lost heart. and did not be-
lieve he would recover. As recently Friday
evening he able to move about the house
and spent but little of his time in bed. During
the night he had several hemorrhages.
and it was noticed that he was failing very rap
idly During the after part of the night he re-
vived considerably but early yesterday morning
another severe hemorrhage came on, and he
died before his relatives or physician could
reach his bedside.
Mr.. Shields was thirty-three years of age. He
leaves young wife. formerly Miss Priscilla
Muncy, of Mt. Carmel. ILL.,, to whom he was
married only last April. At the time of his
nomination and election to the Office OF City
d.
the employ of the Vandala railroad at the Belt
crossing. His policical prominence was
brought about by his being the secretary OF the
Railroad Cleveland and Hendricks Club during
the last presidential cam paign. AS an active
knight of Labor he welded great deal of in
fuence with the working classes. and it was this
George Bruenig. his opponent on
the Republican ticket. The remarkable
race made il that paien brought him the
unanimous Endorsement of his party for
n for the office. Mr. Shields raised
in Indian apolis, and his parents. still living.
reside on ketcham street. THE arrangements for
the funeral have not been completed yet. but It
will be held probably Tuesday. At special
meeting of the Council called for Monday night
that body will make arrangements TO attend the
services. There will be special meeting of
Alpha Assembly K of L., No 1712 on Monday
evening to make arrangements Tor attending
the funeral.
The vacancy in the Office caused by Mr..
Shields death will probably be filed by his first
deputy. j. G. flaming. The matter will Do de-
termined at JOINT meeting of the Board OF AL
dermen and Council on Monday evening. The
law provides that the vacancy shall be filled by
a special election, but quite number of coun-
cilmen are OF the opinion that it wonld be legal
for the board and Council to designate
Tanning the person to fill out the
expired term, which ends Jan. l. Ii it is found
necessary to hold special election IL will be
held at the same time OF the regular election,
Oct. IL It ia understood that If Mr. Fan
ming fills the vacancy he will allow the
salary accruing to Mr.. Shields to go to his
widow. The first work of the deceased after
securing the Office was to purchase homo for
his parents. and he left his widow not well pro-
vided for.
There was a called meeting of the city Demo
cratic Genital committee yesterday afternoon
and after canvassing the qualifications of several
available persons, Michael O'Donnell expolice
superintendent and at present clerk of the Grim
inal Court was agreed upon as the person to take
Mr. Shieldss place upon the city ticket.
There was some influence brought to
bear to have John T. White,
the Union Labor party candidate. Endorsed. but
the suggestion did not meet with favor from the
members of the committee, who thought the
action would be inconsistent considering the
bitter fight the Democrats have been making on
the Union Labor party. The action of the
ecutive committee will have to be ratified mt
full meeting OF the central committee. which
will be held Monday. Mir. O'Donnell said last
evening that he would make the race